Church of San Giovanni (Pieve Torina)

History of the Church of San Giovanni

The church was built in the 17th century on land owned by the Basilica Lateranense. The basilica's coats of arms on the facade recall this link. From 1985 the building was home to the Pieve Torina art gallery, which brought together altarpieces from destroyed or abandoned churches in the area.

The town was badly damaged by the earthquakes of October 26 and 30, 2016, which almost destroyed the town center.

What to see in the Church of San Giovanni

The building's main merit lies in its exterior. The facade is simple, in local stone, with an arched portal and the coats of arms of the Basilica Lateranense. The gabled roof is covered with clay tiles. The apse is wide and circular.

The gallery's works, once kept here, included altarpieces from the destroyed churches of Pomarolo and San Teodora. There was also a Madonna and Child with Angels and Saints by Giovanni Andrea De Magistris. A cycle of frescoes from the second half of the 14th century, detached from the Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta, is considered essential for studying the origins of the Camerino school of painting.

How to visit the Church of San Giovanni

After the 2016 earthquake, the art gallery that was housed in the church may not be open to visitors. Before traveling to Pieve Torina, it is advisable to ask the parish or the Comune (town hall).

With the 2016 earthquake, many historic buildings in the Sibillini area were damaged, and some municipalities set up red zones with no entry. This is worth keeping in mind when planning a visit.

Where the Church of San Giovanni is located

The church is in Pieve Torina, in Le Marche, just outside the town center. The municipality lies at 470 m above sea level, in a foothill area of pastures, woods and farmland.

Around the Church of San Giovanni in Pieve Torina

In the center of town is the Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta, with its 14th-century bell tower on a sloping base. The town's historic buildings also include the former Gothic church of Sant'Agata, with 15th-century frescoes, and the former convent of Sant'Agostino, home to the Museum of Our Land. To continue the tour of the town's churches, see the page on the Church of Santi Cosma e Damiano in Pieve Torina. More information is on the page about the Church of Santi Pietro e Paolo in Pieve Torina. A wider overview is on the page churches of the Sibillini Mountains.